Premier League to await Portsmouth court decision

Tuesday 2 March 2010 11:42 BST

The Premier League will await the outcome of Portsmouth's High Court appearance later today before considering the stricken club's future.

Administrator Andrew Andronikou was due to meet Premier League officials this morning to discuss a number of issues, including the possibility of waiving the nine-point deduction imposed on sides going into administration.

However, Portsmouth were yesterday summoned to attend the High Court today to answer questions from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over their voluntary administration and so that meeting has been postponed.

The club went into administration on Friday with estimated debts of £78million, including an outstanding tax bill of £12.1million.

It is understood the club will be given time to consider their response before being asked to attend a second hearing, where a decision on the validity of the administration will be made.

Andronikou does not expect this latest development to threaten the administration process at this stage.

"We're not unduly worried," he said. "It's not standard procedure but I'd imagine that HMRC are basically crossing their t's and dotting their i's.